Geotextile maker Agru America investing $39 million in expansion

12.14.12

Geotextiles producer Agru America Inc. is investing $39.1 million to expand operations in South Carolina.

The Georgetown, SC, firm will add 40,000 square feet to its production facility there and install new production equipment. It also will add a 130,000-square-foot asphalt storage yard. The project will cost $19.2 million and create 49 new jobs, according to a news release issued by South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley’s office on Dec. 12.

Agru also is upgrading and expanding a production facility in Andrews, SC, which it acquired in January. The Andrews operation makes needle-punched, nonwoven textiles for environmental, industrial, automotive, bedding and furniture markets. The $19.9-million program will create 77 new jobs.

“We have seen demand for our products increase and adding capacity at both facilities will help us meet our manufacturing goals,” said Agru America president Robert Johnson in a news release.

Agru makes linear low density and high density polyethylene liners and geotextiles using flat die extrusion calendering and other processes. It also makes pipe and fittings.

The firm’s parent company is Agru Kunststofftechnik GmbH in Bad Hall, Austria, established in 1948.